Which term describes a group that actively opposes central norms of the wider society?

• A. Subculture
• B. Community
• C. Culture
• D. Counterculture

Answer: (D)

The concept being tested is naming a group that actively challenges the norms of the broader society. A counterculture fits this idea exactly: it’s a group that rejects or questions central values, rules, and practices of the wider culture and pursues an alternative way of life. They critique the prevailing social order and often adopt distinct beliefs, rituals, and lifestyles to stand apart.

In contrast, a subculture is a group within the broader culture that shares different norms or fashions but generally remains within the overall framework of mainstream society. Culture refers to the shared beliefs and practices of a group as a whole, not a specific rebellious faction, and community denotes a social group bound by ties like location or shared interest rather than opposition to norms. So the best fit for a group actively opposing central norms is counterculture.